I am currently in Europe for the first time as an American, and wow. Relatable! I love how you've phrased the differences between everyday life in Europe and America. Many things that bring so much joy to the people here are looked down on in America, and it just does not make sense. I have had many similar thoughts and feelings in my travels, and it is great to see an American voice those feelings like this. Thank you!
I like this. Travel as a means of conceptualizing a different relationship to time, even as the traveler instinctively knows that they cannot fit within that timescale, that time for them will always be experienced at a different velocity. Time is both objective and highly subjective, and our relationship to time defines much of how we perceive the world.
Do we travel to see new places, or to allow ourselves to imagine what life would be like if our relationship to time was more forgiving, and if we were more forgiving to ourselves? We often feel in our hearts that some other version of ourselves existed on trips abroad and time spent in different cultures that we wish we could reconnect with. Maybe what we are missing is the spirit of forgiveness in which we held ourselves during those trips.
I love your examination of time and distance -- that what really creates the distance is the time spent apart, the time it takes to get to each other. So beautiful and so true. I love love your writing!
This took me back to the kind of literary work I read in college in the day's of aspiring toward deep, rich writing experiences where every selected word captured facets of an experience with clarity, honesty, and particularity. It reminded me of the writing I aspired toward, rather than what my writing may have flattened out into over time as I put less time into each piece.
I really liked your text. The way you write made me think you were much older than 24. I guess I'm not that good at noticing the passage of time. Hugs from Brazil!
Very well written. I resonate with what you wrote about time being easier to measure than distance. You also captured the feeling of Europe quite beautifully. And American women's programming to take up as little space as possible. Let's live big!
Beautiful! Evocative and has a quality like a painting, this one… in the way it evokes something personal to the one reading it. And for your young years..:) Look forward to seeing the world through your lens as you experience more within and outside.
I am currently in Europe for the first time as an American, and wow. Relatable! I love how you've phrased the differences between everyday life in Europe and America. Many things that bring so much joy to the people here are looked down on in America, and it just does not make sense. I have had many similar thoughts and feelings in my travels, and it is great to see an American voice those feelings like this. Thank you!
Great read!
I like this. Travel as a means of conceptualizing a different relationship to time, even as the traveler instinctively knows that they cannot fit within that timescale, that time for them will always be experienced at a different velocity. Time is both objective and highly subjective, and our relationship to time defines much of how we perceive the world.
Do we travel to see new places, or to allow ourselves to imagine what life would be like if our relationship to time was more forgiving, and if we were more forgiving to ourselves? We often feel in our hearts that some other version of ourselves existed on trips abroad and time spent in different cultures that we wish we could reconnect with. Maybe what we are missing is the spirit of forgiveness in which we held ourselves during those trips.
Your writing left me breathless. I'm in awe.
I love your examination of time and distance -- that what really creates the distance is the time spent apart, the time it takes to get to each other. So beautiful and so true. I love love your writing!
Aw thank you so much! :))
You took me to an Amsterdam I'd not heard depicted - the women at ease. Lovely.
Have a wonderful trip.
Your writing is so beautiful. What a treasure to read. Thank you for sharing it.
I just absolutely adored the way you described Dutch women. One question: what happened to the boyfriend?
He is still around :D
This took me back to the kind of literary work I read in college in the day's of aspiring toward deep, rich writing experiences where every selected word captured facets of an experience with clarity, honesty, and particularity. It reminded me of the writing I aspired toward, rather than what my writing may have flattened out into over time as I put less time into each piece.
I did thos off and on fir over 15 years....So really get this.....
I’d start feeling sad as soon as he picked me up from the airport, stomach already knotted at the thought of the impending goodbye.
But we ended up together. SINCE 1993
I really liked your text. The way you write made me think you were much older than 24. I guess I'm not that good at noticing the passage of time. Hugs from Brazil!
I enjoyed being on this trip with you xoxo
Very well written. I resonate with what you wrote about time being easier to measure than distance. You also captured the feeling of Europe quite beautifully. And American women's programming to take up as little space as possible. Let's live big!
Beautifully written, I could imagine the smells, sounds, and aura. I love when a story makes me want to stay longer.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Beautiful! Evocative and has a quality like a painting, this one… in the way it evokes something personal to the one reading it. And for your young years..:) Look forward to seeing the world through your lens as you experience more within and outside.
This is such a kind compliment thank you <3